Nothing better to start this New Year with a post on Jaguar, not a new model but an old example of British automotive know-how from 50's. Always during the Online RM Sotheby's Arizona action sale (later this month, the 22 January to be accurate), this stunning 1955 Jaguar D-Type will have a new owner but for how much ? The price is likely to skyrocket...

This example is so beautiful with an high pedigree with competition history and owned by Bernie Ecclestone, the British racer Peter Blond and the Led Zeppelin Manager Peter Grant...

What a design ! No ?

History of Jaguar D-Type

The Jaguar D-Type was created to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans because the marketing of the British car brand was to win on race tracks in order to sale more expensive road cars. The D-Type was produced between 1954 and 1957 on the bases of the X K120 and C-Type (Le Mans winner in 1951 and 1953).

But the design was completely rethought with a lightweight monocoque that has been aerodynamically tested like an airplane to reduce as much as possible the drag. The asymmetric fin positioned behind the driver was designed to add stability at high speed.

I like its front grille, the car seems to be happy 😀 and with three victories at Le Mans in 1955, 1956 and 1957, I understand why...

The D-Type was introduced in 1954 with a total production of :
🚗 18 race cars D-Type,
🚗 53 customer cars,
🚗 16 XKSS versions (unused D-Type chassis transform to create a car with road-going specification - photo below)

1969 Jaguar XKSS Recreation by Lynx sold for $US 423,000 in 2018 (source : RM Sotheby's)

But in February 1957, a fire destroyed the Coventry facility with five D-Types, a lot of materials... It was the end of the program. 😢 But five D-Type in private hand ran during 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans and won the four first places...

Specification

The Jaguar D-Type is equipped with its original engine, 3.4-liter dry-sump XK,with triple Weber carburetors mated to four speed transmission producing 245 hp.

For the story, this example was purchased for £ 3,500 from Bernie Ecclestone by the racer Peter Blond (several races including victory at Snetterton in 1956). Then Jean Bloxham, another racer, bought it in 1960 with a third place in Silverstone one year later. In 1964,it's Peter Grant who bought it. And so on...